New York Outrigger are pleased to present Vicky Holt-Takamine and her hālau hula Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima on the Hawaiian Airlines Stage at the Liberty Festival in Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 as part of the 2015 Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge on Saturday, June 20.

Vicky Holt-Takamine is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received her BA & MA in Dance Ethnology from the University of Hawai’i. In 1975, she graduated as kumu hula (master teacher of Hawaiian dance) through the ‘ūniki rituals of hula from Maiki Aiu Lake. In 1977 sheestablishedPua Ali’i ‘Ilima, a school of traditional Hawaiian dance. She teaches hula at University of Hawai’i, Manoa and Leeward Community College. She is also the founder and kumu hula of Papa Laua‘e O Makana, on Kaua‘i island. She is an advocate for the protection of native Hawaiian rights, the natural environment of Hawai’i and Hawaiian cultural resources. She co-founded numerous organizations that carry out this mission, namely, ‘Īlio’ulaokalani Coalition, KAHEA: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance, and PA’I Foundation. In 2009 she also established and is the kumu hula for Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima o Niuoka, a branch of halau located in New York City.

Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (The Royal ‘Ilima Blossom) Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima is the hālau hula (school of traditional Hawaiian dance) founded by Vicky Holt Takamine in 1977. The hālau was named by Vicky’s kumu hula, Maiki Aiu Lake, and means the Royal ‘Ilima Blossom alluding to Vicky’s graduation from Maiki’s Papa ‘Ilima, the ‘ilima class, and as a descendant from Hawaiian royalty. The hālau participates in cultural festivals and events throughout Hawai‘i and the world, including the Prince Lot Hula Festival in Honolulu, Hawai‘i and the Pan Pacific Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

Pua Ali’I ‘Ilima o Nuioka appears at many Hawaiian and Pacific events in New York City and represents the cultural heritage of Hawai’i with pride and passion.